Final answer:
The inner container of a radiopharmaceutical should be labeled with details such as the radioactive compound's name, activity, volume, calibration date and time, expiration date, and lot number to ensure safety and proper use in medical diagnosis or treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inner container of a radiopharmaceutical should be labeled with important information such as the name of the radioactive compound, the activity (strength of the radioactive material), the volume, the date and time of calibration, expiration date, and the lot number. This labeling is essential because radiopharmaceuticals can have different physical and biological properties based on their half-lives or the organ they are targeted towards. Additionally, the careful labeling of these containers is important for ensuring the safety of those handling them and for the proper identification and administration to patients.
In the context of nuclear medicine, where radiopharmaceuticals are used, these substances are often stored in lead containers, also known as 'pigs', which serve as a radiation shield. The process of creating these compounds is known as 'tagging', and they may be used in diagnostic imaging or therapeutics. The labeled information helps medical professionals to use the correct isotope, for the correct patient, at the correct time, which is crucial given that certain radiopharmaceuticals can have a rapid decay rate or specific biological properties that require precise timing for effective medical diagnosis or treatment.